Shipping-case.



PATENTED SEPT. 18, 1906.

E. RYAN.

SHIPPING CASE.

APPLIOATIOR FILED APR. 21, 1906..

51 vwen tor,

EDMUND RYAN,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 21, 1906. Serial No. 812,940-

OF LAWRENGEVILLE, ILLINOIS. smppme-cmsz.

Patented Sept. 18, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND RYAN, a citizen of the United States, resid ng at Lawrenceville', in the countyof Lawrence and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in.Shipping-Cases and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,

' such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and'use the same,reference being had. to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, 'which'form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to shipping-cases, and has for its object to provide a metallic case which can be quickly and easily put toether for shipment and which can be ocked down for return shipment.

A further object of my invention is to provide a metallicshipping-case which is particularly simple in'its construction, chea and easy to manufacture, durable, and e cient.

With these objects in viewmy invention consists in the novel construction of the members of the case which provide for a strong and rigid connection.

My invention also consists in the novel ineans of securing the top of the case against accidental displacement.

M invention further consists in certain com inations of parts, which will be first fully described, and afterward specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shipping-case. Fi 2 is a vertical longitudinal section throug the same. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through one corner of the box as on line 3 30f Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing of being removed.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same which .1 indlcates the box, which comprises the top 2, sides 3, ends 4, and bottom 5.

p As shown in Fig. 1, the longitudinal edges of the top and bottom 2 and 5 are-rolled in such manner that the longitudinal edges of the sides 3 form therewlth a lock-seam 6.

Referrin to Fig. 3, itwill also be seen that the vertica edges of the sides 3 are rolled in through the opening 18, Fig.

the cover of the boxin the act parts throughout the several figures, in

gether with the ends 4.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the end edges of the bottom 5 are bent up-v wardly to a point 7, where they are bent back u on themselves to a point 8, and bent vertica ly at 9, thereby forming a groove or trough 10, and It will be seen that the bottom edge of the ends 4 enter said trough or groove 10 when said ends reach their normal position. Referring also to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the upper edge of one of the ends 4 1s bent inward to the point 11, then bent back upon ltse f at 12, then bent lnwardly again at 13 in order to form a transverse groove or trough 14, and it will be seen that the end 4 so constructed s of a greater height than the other end 4. TlllS constructlon just described being for the purpose of receivin the forward edge 01 the top or cover 2, said edge entering the trough or groove 14 in such manner that the edge of the top 2 braces and supports the end 4 against inward pressure,

hile at the same time It securely lockssaid end 4 a ainst vertical movement or accidental displacement. I

Referring to Fig. 4 and also to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the top 2 at one end thereof is provided with a spring-catch 15, which is secured in any convenient manner on the under side of the top 2, said catch being provided with a shoulder 16, and a short chain or wire 17 connected to said catch 15, passes 1, in the top 2 and carries a ring 19 on the outside of the case. It will also be seen that the edge of the top 2 adjacent the catch 15 is bent at right an les to the top 2, the extreme edge 20 being elow the upper edge 21 of the end 4.

As shown, the case can be provided, if desired, with suitable drop-handles 22.

Having thus fully described the several parts of my invention, its operation is as folowsz." The sides 3 are slid onto the bottom 5, the turned edges of the sides 3 entering the such manner that a lock-seam is formed toroll at the edge of the bottom 5, thereby forming a lock-seam. When the sides 3 are in position, the ends 4 are slid into engagement vertically with the sides 3, the turned edges of the ends 4 sliding into the roll at the edge of the sides 3, thereby forming a lock-seam. However, this construction of the lockseam merely supports the ends 4 at the vertical edges thereof and will not brace the said ends 4 against inward pressure on the ends 4 or as a shipping-box frequently receives. In order, therefore, to provide suitable bracing and to add strength to the ends 4, the em edges of the bottom are constructed to form a -groove or trough 10, as above descr1bed,-to receive the bottom edge of-the ends 4; By this construction the ends 4 are securely braced at the sides-thereof by the lockseam construction and at the bottom edge by the roove or trough 10, as of course is obvious. A 11 order, however, to securely brace and strengthen the ends 4 at the up er edge, as well as at the side and bottom e ges, one of the ends 4 is provided with a roove or trough 14, as before described, within which the top 3, enters, so that should said end receive a shock or pressure from the outside it will be seen that the said end is securel braced around all its edges. When the en s 4 are placed in position, the top 2 is slid into position, the r0 1 along its longitudinal edges receiving the turned edge of the sides 3, as shown in Fig. 1,and as said top 2 reaches the limit of 1ts movement its forward ed e enters the roove or trough 14 in oneoof the ends 4 am the spring-catch 15 passes over the upper edge of the opposite end 4 and sprin s ,down into position shown in Fig. 2, t e s oulder 16 on said spring-catch engaging the end 4 on the inner side thereof 1n such manner that the top 2 issecurjely locked in position against accidental displacement, while at the same time the catch 15 acts as a brace to strengthen the end 4 to withstand an inward pressure thereon.

In shipping goods, if desired, a label or strip can be pasted over the opening 18 and the ring 19 on the to 2, so that it is necessary to break said la el or strip in order to open the box, thus insuring the original contents, for in order to open a case it is necesagainst' a shock such the said sides and arrangedto enter sary to grasp the ring 19 and draw the same, so that the shoulder 16 of the catch 15 is raised above the edge of the end 4. -When i said catch is in this position, the top 2 can be slid off of the case.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a case of the character described, the combination of the bottom and sides having a'lock-seam en agement, said bottom being provided at eac end with a groove or trough, and the ends being constructed to form a lock-seam engagement with the sides and arranged to enter the said groove or troughs in the said bottom, one ofsaid ends being provided with a groove or trough, a top being constructed so as to form a locking-seam engagement with the said sides and to enter said groove or trough in the said end, and means on said top for engaging one of the ends when said to is in position to lock the top against acci ental displacement, sub stantially as described.

2. In a case of the character described, the combination of the bottom and sides,'said bottom being provided with a transverse groove or trough at each end thereof, the being constructed for engagement with the said groove or trough at each'end of the bottom,

ends

one of said ends being provided with a groove,

or trough, and a to being constructed for engagement with t e said sides, and arranged to enter the said groove or trough in one of said ends, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

' EDMUND RYAN. Witnesses:

JOHN L. FLETCHER, C. HUGH DUFFY. 

